Hoplar Imperial IPA | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

0 characters.
We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters. Awesome. Thanks for the review!

In English, explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.

Notes / Commercial Description:
Hardywood Hoplar follows the wood-aging tradition of the earliest India Pale Ales, which were matured on oak. Rather than oak, we’ve selected the delicate wood of a fallen Virginia Tulip Poplar, which was TreeCycled by CitiWood and toasted for use in this hearty IPA. While this Poplar can no longer rustle in the wind or give shade, it is able to offer balance to the bright citrus and pine character from heaps of Cascade, Columbus and Summit hops with subtle notes of caramelized vanilla. And the tree was hoppy.

In the mid-1800s, when the early IPAs were being shipped in wooden barrels from the breweries of Burton-on-Trent to thirsty British colonists in India, our Tulip Poplar was a mere sapling on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia. On September 18, 2003, this towering Poplar prevailed to the fierce Hurricane Isabel and fell on Bell Creek Road. Richmond-based CitiWood Urban Forest Products helped us transform the wood from this fallen Poplar into custom designed flavor- and aroma-enhancing infusion sticks. Post fermentation, Hoplar is dry-hopped with a generous helping of whole-flower Cascade hops and conditioned on the toasted Poplar.

Hardywood Hoplar is mahogany in color with a hearty, tan head and offers an aroma of grapefruit brûlée and pine needles, as well as delicate vanilla toffee and a hint of campfire. Medium- to full-bodied with assertive (100 IBUs) yet delightful hop bitterness, Hoplar is balanced with ample caramel malt backbone. A bit of earthy tannin from the Poplar harmonizes with the resinous hoppy character, which dissipates into a lingering finish.

Yes, it's heavy on the poplar. If you're looking for something totally balanced, this probably is not it. That said, the poplar adds a fascinating note of wood that is sweet but not like birch. Unusual and definitely drinkable and high quality. Maybe not one of the top beers in existence, but very good and distinctive.

Pour: Bomber bottle into a tulip glass. Appearance: Attractive amber in color. Started with a large white head which reduced to more of a minimal offering yet still present after settling. Lacing present on the sides of the glass, but not much. Aroma: Juicy and dank hoppy aroma. A bit of spicy pepper is detected. Woody notes are also present on the deep sniff. Slight alcohol aroma is also detected as well. Taste: Dank and juicy hops are immediate on the sip. the taste mellows out a bit to reveal the Poplar wood roast. Smooth and velvety despite a higher IBU (100). The juicy hop and wood qualities compliment each other nicely. Aftertaste: Woody and earthy elements remain on the back end. Lots of linger after a few exhales. The deep back end reveals a noticeable bitter quality with definite onion like notes. Notes: Big fan of the nose and taste. Love the interplay of the wood and hops. Very unique. I wish it could have finished a little more clean. The back end could be better. Had this at the brewery the previous week and the freshness and taste was a total knockout. Result/Rating: Very Good/ 4.42

A: A darker IPA, Amber. White fluffy head that stays. S: Pine, dank hops, herbal, grassy, a touch of wood. T: Some wood, a little melon, some pine. M: This beer is creamy, silky smooth, some bitter on the backend but the silky smooth feel just invites you in for more. O: I'm becoming a fan of these wood aged IPAs. It added a smooth mouthfeel that is almost barleywine like. An overall nice beer, I'm really enjoying it

Pours a deep Amber, just so slightly hazy. The head is dark cream, foamy, and has big volume and great retention. The aroma is multifaceted, varying from caramel malts, to floral and citrus hops. The taste is much the same. No one quality overwhelms any other and compliment each other. The poplar is subtle and at times it's hard to tell its there. But other times it's a nice addition. The body is remarkably light but not watery and has a light carbonation tingle.